Concord Matters from KFUO Radio

Repentance apart from Christ leads only to death. The Roman church had a very detailed system of repentance: contrition, confession, and satisfaction. Although the system was well defined, the premise for it began with the misunderstanding that a person could make their own satisfaction for sins. Yet we know that only Christ makes satisfaction for our sins, and, in faith, we confess, knowing that Christ truly forgives our sins on account of His cross. Sin always remains in us, but in Christ, it never reigns over us!Rev. Brian Kachelmeier, pastor at Crown of Life Lutheran Church, San Antonio, TX joins Rev. Brady Finnern to continue our study of repentance in the Smalcald.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

Repentance has two parts: first, contrition—sorrow for sin—and second, faith in the Gospel. The Lord delivers His Law as a thunderbolt and hammer, striking the heart and stirring it toward newness of life. True contrition is not merely sorrow for sin but the realization that we deserve death because of it. In faith, we repent, knowing that there is One who will save us from this body of death. The goal of repentance is always forgiveness and hope in Christ. God calls us to repentance, daring us to believe that He will give exactly what He promises: forgiveness, life, and salvation in Christ.Rev. David Buchs, pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church, Fairhaven, MN, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study repentance in the Smalcald.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

The chief power of the Law is to reveal original sin with all its fruit. We know how low our human nature has fallen in that we need the Law to increase our trespass (Romans 5:20), so as not to harden our hearts. The Law shows us our sin, restrains us from sin, and in Christ by the help of the Holy Spirit, enables us to live a holy life. “Lord God, show us our sin that we may bear fruit of repentance and believe in Christ’s forgiveness. Amen.”Rev. Andy Wright, pastor at St. John Lutheran Church, Topeka, KS, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Law.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

The Gospel—that is, Christ reconciling the world back to the Father by His life, death, and resurrection—was the heartbeat of the Reformation. We take a closer look at the articles that clearly articulate the Gospel and why it is important to steadfastly keep them on our hearts, lips, and ears throughout our lives.Rev. David Juhl, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Arlington, WI joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the fullnesss of the Gospel throughout the Book of Concord.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Learn more about Sharathon 2025 and give now at kfuo.org/sharathon.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

If we are not dead in our sins, Christ died in vain. The corruption of humankind is so deep that our only hope is a full resurrection (Romans 6:1-4). The Roman Church in Luther’s day taught that individuals had the power to observe God’s commands and love Him, without the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, all that the human heart can give is more evil deeds (pride, despair, lying, abusing God’s name, disobedience, murder, stealing, and deception). Luther brings us back to the basics, revealing the real purpose for which Christ came: to die for sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).Rev. Joshua Conradt, pastor at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Waterford, WI, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study original sin.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

The Roman Church suggested the possibility of convening a Free Council to allow the broader Church to address the issues at hand, but they ultimately postponed any such gathering. Luther wrote the Smalcald Articles to call their bluff and provide the simple truths of Scripture one last time. He ends his preface in prayer, seeking the Lord’s help to address false doctrine. May we do the same today!Rev. Heath Curtis, pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, Worden, IL and Zion Lutheran Church, Carpenter, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study Luther’s preface to the Smalcald Articles.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

The office of the papacy is not mandated in Scripture. In fact, the pope of Luther’s day was demanding obedience to the Church, not by a mandate from the Word of God, but by the power of his position. Luther, on the other hand, proclaimed the unity we have in the one name of Christ. We are united in His name through doctrine, faith, sacraments, prayer, and mercy to others. To grant any person or object the same or greater authority than Christ Himself is the definition of idolatry and is unacceptable in the Church. Christ is the head of the Church. We submit to Him and Him alone!Rev. John Zimmerman, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Scranton, PA and St. John Lutheran Church, Pittson, PA, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to discuss the Papacy.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

The Church is entrusted with forming servants for faithful service in God’s kingdom. Monasteries were established to provide men and women with a way to live out their baptismal identity through service in the Church and their daily vocations. However, over time, they came to be seen as a means of earning forgiveness and attaining a holier life. At the heart of the issue was the Gospel—if we seek assurance of salvation outside of Christ, we lose the essence of the Christian faith. As members of His Church, we are called to live in community with fellow believers, bearing with one another in love and serving others as Christ first served us.Rev. Ben Meyer, pastor at Hope Lutheran Church, Sunburry, OH, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study chapters and cloisters.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

Anything done in the Church that conflicts with the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world robs people of a clear conscience in Christ. The Church at the time of Luther had fallen into practices that were leading people away from the cross and empty tomb for full salvation: pilgrimages, monastic societies, relics, indulgences, and the invocation of saints. Luther spoke sharp admonition to the Church then and still does today, ensuring that we are following the clear commandments of the Lord and clearly confessing the pure Gospel of Christ.Rev. Mark Bestul, pastor at Calvary Lutheran Church, Elgin, IL, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the Biblical truth concerning the Mass.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.

The Triune God is a Divine Majesty. We receive a glimpse of this majesty through the Word of God and learn how, in love, He saved us from our sins. Luther “begins at the beginning” with our God who created the heavens and the earth and then points us back to the Chief Article: that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised for our justification (Romans 4:24-25).Rev. Dr. Steve Mueller, Professor of Theology and Chief Mission Officer, Concordia University, Irvine, CA, joins Rev. Brady Finnern to study the clear truth of the Triune God and the two natures of Christ.Find your copy of the Book of Concord - Concordia Reader's Edition at cph.org or read online at bookofconcord.org.Study the Lutheran Confession of Faith found in the Book of Concord with lively discussions led by host Rev. Brady Finnern, President of the LCMS Minnesota North District, and guest LCMS pastors. Join us as these Christ-confessing Concordians read through and discuss our Lutheran doctrine in the Book of Concord in order to gain a deeper understanding of our Lutheran faith and practical application for our vocations. Submit comments or questions to: listener@kfuo.org.